How To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles

(Black, Furniture and Varied Carpet Beetles)

Prevention of Carpet Beetles

The best way to avoid carpet beetle problems is through prevention.
Woolens and other susceptible fabrics should be dry cleaned or laundered
before being stored for long periods.

Cleaning not only removes perspiration odors that are attractive
to the beetles, but also kills any eggs or larvae that may be present.

Insecticides should not be used to treat clothing.

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

Inspection:

The first step in carpet beetle elimination is a thorough inspection
of the entire structure.
Carpet beetle larvae prefer to feed in dark, undisturbed, protected
places.
Before the infestation is discovered, the active forms (larvae and
adults) may have distributed themselves in such places as the lint
collected behind baseboards, in air ducts, in the stuffing of furniture
and in the bristles of old paint brushes. From these unsuspected locations,
carpet beetles may continue to re-infest valued woolens for long periods
of time.

Black carpet beetles favor
animal nests such as that of birds and rodents and can be a source
of infestation in the winter when the first sign of cold weather forces
the beetles indoors. Location and removal of such nests before winter
can also prevent infestation.

Often the cast skins are more abundant than the larvae. Adult beetles
flying around windows may help in locating the infestation.

The list of materials upon which carpet beetles can feed successfully
is extensive. It includes such diverse substances as meal and flour,
peas and beans, animal dandruff, dead insects, leather, dried meats,
silk, powdered milk and dog food as well as the natural food substance
of wool, fur, hair and feathers mentioned previously. Eggs, larvae,
pupae and adults may be brought into the home in any of these substances.

Since adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar, all cut flowers from
the outdoors should be inspected for carpet beetle presence.

Screens should also be installed around windows and doors should
be tightly fitted to prevent adults from entering the structure.

Remove debris such as animal hair and lint that serves as a food
source for carpet beetles.

When located, infested articles should be disposed of.

However, if the item is of high value, several options are available.
Items such as furs can be placed in cold storage at temperatures around
40oC. Also, some items may be frozen for a week in an effort to kill
all beetle larvae.

Carpet Beetle Traps

The X Lure Fabric Trap will trap both the Black Carpet Beetle and Varied Carpet Beetle. This reusable trap is also effective against Webbing Clothes Moths and Casemaking Clothes Moths.

Insecticide Treaments

In the case of a heavy infestation, insecticide and insect growth regulator treatments may be
necessary. Before making insecticide treatments for carpet beetles,
the premises should be thoroughly vacuumed. Featured are D-Fense SC Insecticide concentrate, Alpine Aerosols, D-Fense Dust and Archer IGR.

A residual Insecticide spray that is registered for control of carpet
beetles is D-Fense SC Insecticide .You can also use residual aerosols with a crack and crevice tip like Alpine Aerosols

Indoor spot or surface treatment with insecticides can provide effective
control of carpet beetles, although more than one application may
be necessary. When spraying or dusting rugs, closet areas, and storage areas, be sure to treat all known or suspected feeding and hiding places. Carpet beetles leaving the infested products will contact the sprayed surfaces and die. Spot treatment of rugs may be may also be made with D-Fense SC. D-Fense SC may be combined with Archer IGR (Insect Growth Regulator in order to stop the carpet beetles' life cycles.

Archer IGR is an insect growth regulator to stop the life cycle of the carpet beetles. If a high population of carpet beetles is present, the use of an insecticide such as D-Fense SC to kill the adults may be necessary for immediate control. It may be applied with the D-Fense SC in the same
spray tank.

PT Alpine Aerosol is a
a residual aerosol, with a crack and crevice tip that can be used to spray in the
cracks and crevices, killing the adult beetles .
Spray under and on edges of floor coverings, under rugs and furniture and in closets or other places where you see them.
You will need 2-4 treatments spaced about 3 weeks apart, due to the
nature of their cycles.